The first morning in the Thorne penthouse dawned with a silence that was anything but peaceful. Ivy woke in the vast, unfamiliar bed, the sterile luxury of the room feeling more like a hotel suite than a home. For a disorienting second, she didn’t know where she was. Then the memory of the cold wedding, the loosening wedding band on her finger, and Lucian’s impassive face crashed down on her.She dressed in her own simple clothes, a soft, grey sweater and dark slacks, a small act of defiance. When she ventured out into the main living area, she found him already there, a fortress of concentration behind his tablet, a half-empty cup of black coffee at his elbow. The morning sun carved his profile in light and shadow, making him look both formidable and, annoyingly, perfectly composed.He didn’t look up as she entered. “The chef is in the kitchen. Tell him what you want.”Ivy hesitated, then moved toward the sleek, state-of-the-art kitchen. A man in a crisp white uniform gave her a poli
Last Updated : 2025-11-05 Read more